If you're redeveloping your property, it's natural to feel uneasy: Do you have all the waivers and permits you need? What if there's been a miscalculation and a redesign sets your project back three months? Or maybe you're not sure exactly what's affected by a zoning overlay? The best way to avoid frustrating delays and unexpected expense - especially on complex or large-scale projects - is to get everyone in the same room to talk through the steps in the process early on. Many plans review issues can be avoided if considerations are made at the beginning of the project process.
The City of Knoxville's Plans Review and Inspections Department wants to help eliminate the anxiety and confusion by providing an opportunity for property owners, developers, architects, contractors and engineers to schedule time at a free, voluntary and informal meeting with City staff. Representatives from Plans Review & Inspections, Stormwater Engineering, KUB, Fire Marshal's Office, and Knoxville-Knox County Planning. Staff will be available for meeting participants who want to ask questions and iron out details about their property-improvement projects.
At a Pre-Submittal Conference, City staff and others will review a copy of the project plans, offer comments, provide answers to specific questions and suggest possible options to difficult design challenges. This will help to ensure a successful project when it is submitted for the official Plans Review.
To request an opportunity to attend a pre-submittal conference, fill out the application completely and email it to the address on the form.
To allow staff to prepare for your meeting and ensure they are able to provide the best level of service possible, supporting documentation, including a list of questions for discussion and all available construction sheets, must accompany the application submission for the application to be considered complete.
Application deadline is close of business the 1st Monday of every month. If that Monday falls on a holiday, the deadline will be the previous Friday. Conferences are held the 2nd Monday of every month, starting at 1:15 p.m. and are 45 minutes in length. You will be contacted by a member of our staff with your assigned time. Please note that dates and times are subject to the volume of requests and availability. Completed applications are processed in the order received, applications are not processed unless complete.
In order to facilitate a comprehensive discussion about your preliminary plans, these conferences are closed meetings. Any records or communications sent or submitted to and in the possession of the City are subject to the Tennessee Open Records Act. On the day of the meeting, come to Conference Room 461, City-County Building for your Pre-Submittal Conference at your assigned time. Attendance by the principal applicant/project manager is required and it is recommended that members of the design team are also present.
To request a Pre-Submittal Conference please download the application(PDF, 612KB) and return it to bldginspections@knoxvilletn.gov.